Rotary folding mechanism for printing presses



ROTARY FOLDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed May 14, 1936 5o 7 40 44 Q] 31 fi 2 1 2 z 42 37 IN VENTOR.

Edna/r70 14/. Dean ATTORNEY.$

Patented Sept. 14, 1937 V UNITED STATES ROTARY FOLDING MECHANISM FOR PRINT- ING PRESSES Edmund W. Dean, Battle Creek, Mich., assignor to Duplex Printing Creek, Mich.

, Press Company, Battle Application May 14, 1936, Serial No. 79,697

10 Claims.

This invention relates to rotary folding mechanism and particularly to such folding mechanism adapted for use in folding newspapers printed on rotary web presses and relates to the struc- 5 ture shown in Letters Patent 1,203,464, issued October 31, 1916, to Henry F. Bechman, for R- tary folding mechanism.

I have found that in operating such a rotary folding mechanism in connection with a rotary web printing press, such as a newspaper press, considerable difiiculty is encountered in properly folding the completed severed newspaper in that variations of speed of the press and the folding mechanism result in inaccurate folding and overlapping of the edges of the sheets. An adjustment of the folding mechanism that is proper for one speed of the press with a given paper and ink may be entirely unsatisfactory for a different speed of the press, due in part to the inertia of the paper as it is carried around the folding cylinder. In a job printing shop Where different papers and inks are employed on different jobs and consequently different adjustments are required for the folding mechanism, this difficulty is considerably aggravated. Only the widest experience and knowledge of presses,

papers and inks can avoid a'very high ratio of loss due to improper folding. It is customary in setting up a job on the press to run the press slowly until it is found that the press is functioning properly and the press is then speeded up to production speed. Proper folding at the slower speeds will become improper folding at the higher production speeds and if proper register of the edges of the sheets is desired, the early part of a run must be discarded or the press must be stopped and the folder re-adjusted for the different speeds. I have found that it is practically impossible to obtain the desired fold- First, to provide a printing press which eliminates these difficulties in' a printing press and folder.

Second, to provide such a printing press and folder in which the folder may be adjusted while the press is in operation without interfering in any way with the operation. 55'

ing without resort to the system of trial and Third, to provide such a printing press in which the adjustment can be made by any press operator without the necessity for the highestskill and knowledge of presses, papers and inks.

Fourth, to provide such a printing press and folding mechanism which is simple and inexpensive in construction.

Further objects and advantages pertaining to details and economies of construction and operation will appear from the description to follow. A preferred embodiment of my invention is 11- lustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in section showing my improved rotary folding mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 3'3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of the end of the control rod.

Referring to the drawing, l is the folding cylinder. 2 are nipper rolls for creasing the paper 1 as it passes from the press to the folder. .3 is the male cutting roll having a blade which 00- operates with the rubber strip 4 on the folding and cutting cylinder. 5 are the pins for carrying the paper around the roll and 6 are the folding A plate I2 is mounted on each end of the cylinder and similar intermediate plates may be provided. The plate I2 is arranged for rotation with the cylinder and is provided with arcuate slots l 3 through which headed studs l4 project and are screw threaded as at If) into the end of the cylinder. Suflicient clearance is provided between the head IB of the stud and the end ll of the cylinder to permit movement of the plate with reference to the cylinder, although sufficient friction is provided to hold the plate in adjusted position. The plate is provided with bearings I3 in which are journaled the shafts l9 which bear the tucker blades 20 and the gears 2| which are in mesh with the internal gear 22 for rotating the tucker blades as the cylinder and plate rotate.

and is provided with gear teeth 25 at its end in On the edge of the plate are provided gear teeth 23 and a shaft extends through the cylinder mesh with the gear teeth 23 on the edge of the plate l2. Rotation of the shaft 24 will thus, through the meshing of the gear teeth 23 and 25, adjust the position of the plate l2 with reference to the cylinder I. A similar shaft I24 is provided extending to the plate at the other end of the cylinder or to any intermediate plates which may be employed in the cylinder for carrying the tucker blades.

A coupling 26 connects the ends of the shafts...

which are pinned at 21 to the coupling. The coupling is provided with a gear..28 having oblique teeth thereon. A gear 29 is mounted on an axis 30 substantially at right anglesto the shaft. 24. A bracket 3| supports this gear which is provided with oblique teeth meshing with the teeth in the gear 28 so that rotation of the gear 29 will rotate the gear 28 and the shaft 24 to adjust the plate l2.

Within the bore H, I provide a control rod 32 provided with'diagonal teeth 33 in mesh with the teeth on the gear 29. This rod is free for axial movement in the bore so that by such movement it may rotate the gear 29 to adjust :the position of the plate l2 on the cylinder I.

This rod is provided with flattened sides 34 at a portion of its length and a washer '35 is fixed to the end of the shaft 1 by machine screws 36 .to prevent turning of the control rod 32 in the bore ll. Shaft 1 is cut away at 31 to permit the gear 29'to engage the rack teeth 33 on the control rod 32. At the end of the control rod 32, I provide-a neck 38 so thata shoulder 39 is formed and I provide. a shifting element 40 which is swiveled on the neck 38: of the control rod 32 with a running fit. The inner end of the shifting element through a washer 4! abuts against'the shoulder or seat 39 on the end of the control rod 32. A' bore 42 is provided in the shifting element and a cap 43 is bolted with a bolt 44 on the end of the control rod and the cap serves as a seat to engage. the shoulder/45 on the shifting element 40. A screw threaded mounting 46 is provided having screw threads 41 engaging screw threads 48 on the shifting element 40.

The operation of my improved apparatus is as follows: When the cylinder l and the plate I2 are revolving and it is desired to adjust the position of the plate l2 with reference to the cylinder l, the hand. wheel 49 on theshifting ele ment 40 may be grasped after first releasing the lock nut 50 thereon" and by turning the shifting element it may be made to move either to or away from the cylinder I. The cylinder and -the shaft 1 are permitted to rotate because the shifting element 40 is swiveled on the end of the rod with a running fit and theithrust' of the shifting element on the control rod 32 moves it axially in bore II. The rack teeth 33 engaging ;gear 29 rotate this gear, which in :turn rotates the gear 28, which in turn rotates the shaft 24 and the gear teeth 25, engaging the gear teeth 23, move the plate l2 on the end of the cylinder 1 I have shown and described my invention in the embodiment preferred by me and wish to claim the same broadly and specifically as pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 7 :(Patent is:

1. In a folding apparatus of the class de-' inder for rotation": therewith about th axis of 'saidplates with reference to said cylinder, a gear on said shaft having oblique teeth, a second gear in said cylinderjournaled on an axis at an angle to saidshaft, said second gear having oblique teeth in mesh with the teeth of said first gear,

. whereby rotation of said second gear rotates said first gear, a control rod in the axial bore in said cylinder and extending therefrom and having rack teeth thereon engaging said second gear for rotation thereof, and having seats at its outer end for engaging shifting means, and shifting means screw-threaded in said'fram'e and. swiveled on theouter endof said control rod and en-' gaging said seats for'shifting said rod axiallyin said bore, whereby the position of said plates may.

be adjusted while said cylinder and said plates are rotating.

2. In a folding apparatus pf the class described, the combination of a frame, a rotary folding cylinder journaled in said frame and having an axial bore, platesiassociated with said cylinder for rotation therwithaboutthe axis of the cylinder, said plates carrying rotary.

tucker blades in fixed relation to one another, a shaft in said cylinder substantially parallel to the axis thereof, gearing between said shaft and said plates for angularly adjusting the position of said plates with reference to said cylinder, a

gear on said shaft having oblique teeth, a second gear in said cylinder journaled on an axis at an angle to said shaft; said second gear having oblique teeth in mesh with the teeth of said first gear, whereby rotation of said second gear rotates said first gear, a control rod in the axial bore in said cylinder and extending therefrom and having rack teeth thereon engaging said" second .gearfor rotation thereof, and having seats at its outer end for engaging shifting means, and shifting means screw-threaded in said frame and swiveled'on the outer end of said control rod and engaging said seats for shifting said rodfaxially in said bore, whereby the position of said plates may be adjusted while said cylinder and said plates are rotating.

3. In a folding apparatus of the class described,'the combination of a frame, a rotary.

folding cylinder journaled in said frame and having an axial bore, plates associated with said cylinder for rotation. therewith about the axis of the cylinder, said plates carrying rotary tucker blades in fixed relation to one another, a shaft in said cylinder substantially parallel to the axis thereof, gearing between said shaft and said plates for angularly adjusting the position of said plates with reference to said cylinder, a gear on said shaft having oblique teeth, a second gear in said cylinder journaled on an axis at an angle to said shaft, said second gear having oblique teeth inmesh with. the teeth of said first gear, whereby rotation of said second gear rotates said first gear, a control rod in the axial bore in said cylinder and extending therefrom, having seats at its outer end for engaging shifting means, means in said cylinder operatively connected to said control rod for rotating said second gear, and shifting. means screw-threaded in. said frame and swiveled on the outer end of said control rod and engaging said seats for shifting said rod axially in said bore, whereby the position of said plates may be adjusted while said cylinder and said plates are rotating.

4. In a folding apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, a rotary folding cylinder journaled in said frame and having an axial bore, plates associated with said cylinder for rotation therewith about the axis of the cylinder, said plates carrying rotary tucker blades in fixed relation to one another, a shaft in said cylinder substantially parallel to the axis thereof, gearing between said shaft and said plates for angularly adjusting the position of said plates with reference to said cylinder, a gear on said shaft having oblique teeth, a second gear in said cylinder journaled on an axis at an angle to said shaft, said second gear having oblique teeth in mesh with the teeth of said first gear, whereby rotation of said second gear rotates said first gear, a control rod in the axial bore in said cylinder and extending therefrom and having rack teeth thereon engaging said second gear for rotation thereof, and shifting means swiveled on the outer end of said control rod for shifting said rod axially in said bore, whereby the position of said plates may be adjusted while said cylinder and said plates are rotating.

5. In a folding apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, a rotary folding cylinder journaled in said frame and having an axial bore, plates associated with said cylinder for rotation therewith about the axis of the cylinder, said plates carrying rotary tucker blades in fixed relation to one another, a shaft in said cylinder substantially parallel to the axis thereof, gearing between said shaft and said plates for angularly adjusting the position of said plates with reference to said cylinder, a gear on said shaft having oblique teeth, a second gear in said cylinder journaled on an axis at an angle to said shaft, said second gear having oblique teeth in mesh with the teeth of said first gear, whereby rotation of said second gear rotates said first gear, a control rod in the axial bore in said cylinder and extending therefrom, means in said cylinder operatively connected to said control rod for rotating said second gear, and shifting means swiveled on the outer end of said control rod for shifting said rod axially in said bore, whereby the position of said plates may be adjustedwhile said cylinder and said plates are rotating.

6. In a folding apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, a rotary folding cylinder journaled in said frame and having an axial bore, plates associated with said cylinder for rotation therewith about the axis of the cylinder, said plates carrying rotary tucker blades in fixed relation to one another, a shaft in said cylinder substantially parallel to the axis thereof, gearing between said shaft and said plates for angularly adjusting the position of said plates with reference to said cylinder, a control rod in the axial bore in said cylinder and extending.

therefrom, shifting means swiveled on the outer end of said control rod for shifting said rod axially in said bore, and gearing connecting said shaft and said control rod whereby axial movement of said control rod rotates said shaft, whereby the position of said plates may be adjusted while said cylinder and said plates are rotating.

7. In a folding apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, a rotary folding cylinder journaled in said frame and having an axial bore, plates associated with said cylinder for rotation therewith about the axis of the cylinder, said plates carrying rotary tucker blades in fixed relation to one another, a shaft in said cylinder substantially parallel to the axis thereof, gearing between said shaft and said plates for angularly adjusting the position of said plates with reference to said cylinder, a control rod in the axial bore in said cylinder and extending therefrom,

shifting means swiveled on the outer end of said control rod for shifting said rod axially in said bore, and connecting means connecting said shaft and said control rod whereby axial movement of said control rod rotates said shaft, whereby the position of said plates may be adjusted while said cylinder and said plates are rotating.

8. In a folding apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, a rotary folding cylinder journaled in said frame and having an axial bore, plates rotatable about the axis of the cylinder carrying rotary tucker blades in fixed relation to one another, adjusting means for angularly adjusting the position of said plates with reference to said cylinder, control means for said adjusting means extending axially of said cylinder and in said bore, and movable axially to actuate said adjusting means, and shifting means on said frame swiveled on said control means for causing axial movement thereof, whereby the position of the plates may be adjusted while said cylinder and said plates are rotating.

9. In a folding apparatus of the class described, 4

the combination of a frame, a rotary folding cylinder journaled in said frame and having an axial bore, plates rotatable about the axis of the cylinder carrying rotary tucker blades in fixed relation to one another, adjusting means for angularly adjusting the position of said plates with reference to said cylinder, control means for said adjusting means extending axially of said cylinder and in said bore, and movable axially to actuate said adjusting means, whereby the position of the plates may be adjusted while said cylinder and said plates are rotated.

10. In a folding apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, a rotary folding cylinder journaled in said frame and having an axial bore, plates rotatable about the axis of the cylinder carrying rotary tucker blades in fixed relation to one another, adjusting means for angularly adjusting the position of said plates with reference to said cylinder, and control means for said adjusting means extending axially of said cylinder and in said bore to actuate said adjusting means, whereby the position of the plates may be adjusted while said cylinder and said plates are rotating.

EDMUND W. DEAN. 

